Illuminated jig-saw puzzle



Feb- 2, 1960 T. BLACKMAN ET AL 2,923,550

ILLUMINATED UIC-SAW PUZZLE Filed March 2l, 1957 562 60 ygg United States Patent() ILLUMINATED JIG-SAW PUZZLE Toby Blackman and Joan Chapman, Chicago, lll.

Application March 21, 1957, Serial No. 647,571

4 Claims. (Cl. 273-157) This invention relates generally to jig-saw puzzles in which a plurality of pre-shaped puzzles pieces are adapted `to be interlocked or put together to complete a predetermined design on the face of the puzzle and more particularly, relates to a puzzle of the character described having novel electrical circuitry including an electrical signal device which is energized only when the puzzle pieces are successfully interlocked.

A primary object of the invention is -to provide a jigsaw puzzle of the character described which includes a source of electrical power and a signal device to be energized from lsaid source and the puzzle pieces each carry electrical conductor means which are cooperatively connected together to complete the circuit between said source and signal device when the puzzle pieces are properly inter-engaged or interlocked.

Another object of the invention is to provide a jig-saw puzzle of the character described in which each puzzle piece has an insulated conductor aixed to the underside thereof and an electrical contact on a lateral face thereof which physically engages a similar contact on a lateral face of an adjoining puzzle piece when the puzzle is completed to close the circuit to said signal device and effect operation thereof.

Other objects of the invention reside in the simplicity and economy of manufacture for a jig-saw puzzle of the character described which is durable and strong and which is suitably constructed to avoid short circuiting of the electrical components thereof.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds. To facilitate an understanding of the principles of the invention, a preferred embodiment has been described in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawing. It is contemplated that minor variations in the size, arrangement, construction and proportion of the several parts of the invention may occur to the skilled artisan without departing from the scope or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the jig-saw puzzle embodying the invention in completed condition.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of said jig-saw puzzle and having a corner portion thereof broken away to show a manner of mounting the source of electrical power.

Fig. 3 is an end-on elevational view of said puzzle and showing electrical elements connected between the signal device, illustrated as a lamp, and the power source, in broken lines.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 and enlarged to show structural details of said puzzle.

Fig. 5 is a rear plan view of an individual puzzle piece with a portion of the insulating backing removed -to show attachment of the electrical conductor Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of an individual puzzle piece to illustrate a manner of providing y 2,923,550 Patented Feb. 2, 1960 ICC for electrical contact between the adjacent puzzle pieces along mating lateral faces thereof.

Referring to the drawing, the jig-saw puzzle embodying the invention is designated generally by the reference character 10. The principles of the invention contemplate providing said puzzle with a base 12 having an internal chamber 14, a top wall 16 in which is formed a predetermined depressed design or outline 18 in which the several puzzle pieces 20a through 20d respectively are put together to complete the puzzle. Supported on said wall 16 is a signal device, which in the embodiment illustrated comprises a lamp 22 which becomes lit when the puzzle pieces are successfully put together in the depressed outline 16.

Said base 12 may be formed from any one of a large number of suitable materials, such as wood, pressed paperboard, plastic and the like. Same includes a bottom wall 24, upstanding side walls supported along lateral edges of the bottom wall in the form of two pairs of elongate, thick blocks 25 and 26 matingly arranged to define the chamber 14. The top wall 16 is formed from a pair of sheets, such as cardboard panels 27 and 28 adhered together in face to face contact in a unitary assemblage closing off the top of chamber 14. Said assemblage of sheets 27, 28 is secured on blocks 25 and 26 by the screw fasteners 30 which are passed therethrough and through the said blocks into the bottom wall 24. The uppermost sheet or panel 28 has cut out from a mid-portion thereof a predetermined outline or design 18 which is backed up or closed off by the panel 27 subtending said panel 28 to provide the depressed seat or opening in the face of ythe puzzle in which the puzzle pieces are to be assembled. The panel 27 is therefore a table or supporting surface for said puzzle pieces.

Except for the heterogeneous shape of the several puzzle pieces, same are substantially identical in construction and may be formed from the cut-out portion of sheet or panel 2S. Referring to Fig. 5, one such puzzle piece, such as 20d, is intended to be illustrated. To the lower or under surface 32 thereof is aflixed as by a suitable adhesive, a continuous length of metallic tape 34 extending entirely across said surface 32 between opposite side edges of the piece. The thickness of the piece 20d provides a lateral face 38 seen in Fig. 6 and the tape 34 has an extension 40 thereof which extends across said face 33 and is secured at its extremity on the opposite or upper surface of the puzzle piece. The upper surface of the puzzle piece is covered by a segment of a' design carrier sheet 42 which covers and insulates also the secured extremity of the tape. Over the undersurface 32 is attached, as by a suitable adhesive, a backing sheet 44 which insulates the length of tape 34 aixed on said surface, albeit leaving the extension 40 along lateral face 38 exposed or uninsulated. The exposed portion 40 of the metallic tape serves as an electrical contact. As explained, the puzzle piece 20d would have a pair of such electrical contacts, each on a said lateral face thereof at spaced points therealong.

The electrical contacts 40 are advantageously located on the several puzzle pieces so that when the puzzle pieces are successfully assembled in the depressed seat 18, each pair of adjacent puzzle pieces will have their contacts 40 physically engaged and hence, electrically connected. Where a puzzle piece has more than one adjacent puzzle piece, the requisite number of contact points will be provided to achieve electrical interconnection of the conductors carried thereby through said contact points. Thus, when the puzzle pieces are interlocked, there is formed a continuous electrical circuit between spaced .points on said assembled puzzle pieces, said points or terminals of the continuous circuit being designated 46 and 48 respectively in Fig. 2.

The indicating or signal device illustrated comprises a lamp 22 which is retained in a socket 52 supported on the sheet 28 and extending therethrough. As seen in broken outline in Fig. 2, the continuous length of metallic tape C-clamp or bracket 64 formed of resilient,`nonconduct ing material which is secured to the interior surface of block 26 by the fastener screws 65. The cell 60 and leads 58 and 62 are disposed in the chamber 14.

It will thus be seen that the invention comprises a very attractive puzzle which signals successful completion thereof by energizing an illuminating device. Of course, i

an audible signal may likewise be generated either in conjunction with or separate from the visible signal. The several parts of my puzzle are formed from relatively inexpensive and readily available components. Excellent insulation is provided since the portion of the tape34 on the bottom surface of each piece 20a-20d is insulated by backing sheet 44. Although the invention has been ydescribed in connection with metallic tape easily gledi to the bottom surface of each piece, other metallic conf ductors may be feasible having exposed contacts alongf side edges or faces of the puzzle piece to engage with contacts of adjacent puzzle pieces. Likewise resilient contacts may be provided at engaged points to provide wiping contact.

It will be appreciated that the dry cell 60 may be replaced with suitable socket components for connection of the electrical circuitry of said puzzle to a wall outlet. However, additional equipment required to insure safe operation and suitable electrical components would increase the cost of the puzzle substantially.

It is believed the invention has been described in sufcient detail to enable the skilled artisan to practice and understand the same. It is desired that the principles of the invention be construed in their broadest terms as set forth in the claims hereto appended.

What it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A jig-saw puzzle of the character described comI prising a base having a depressed seat of predetermined outline to receive therein the pieces of the puzzle proper- 4 4 i ly interlocked, said base carrying a source of electrical power and a signaldevice arranged to be operated from said power source, said puzzle pieces having electrical conductor means arranged to form a continuous electrical circuit operably connecting said signal device to said source only when the puzzle has been so completed, said conductor means being provided on each puzzle piece and comprising a metallic segment of said circuit,

said metallic segments of the puzzle pieces being electrically connected together in the interlocked condition of the puzzle, each segment being located on each puzzle piece to prevent inadvertent physical contact therewith except for predetermined limited portions thereof at which said electrical connection is made.

2. A jig-saw puzzle of the character described comprising a base having a depressed seat of predetermined outline to receive therein the pieces of the puzzle properly interlocked, said base carrying a source of electrical power and a signal device arranged to be operated from said power source, said puzzle pieces having electrical conductor means arranged to form a continuous electrical circuit operably connecting said signal device to said source only when the puzzle has been so completed,

v said conductor means being provided on each puzzle piece and comprising a metallic segment of Said circuit, said metallic segments of the puzzle pieces being elco- `trically connected together in the interlocked condition of the puzzle, said power source comprising a dry cell and `the base carrying electrical leads extending to points adjacent said seat for electrical connection with the conductor means of said puzzle pieces, said conductor means being insulatively disposed on the puzzle pieces except for limited portions thereof exposed to permit said electrical connection together thereof.

3. A puzzle as described in claim 2 in which said signal device comprises a lamp.

4. A jig-saw puzzle as described in claim 1 in which each segment has a said limited portion thereof along the l -lateral face of said piece providing mating electrical contact with a said portion of a segment on an adjacent puzzle piece.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,023,676 Fischer Dec. 10, 1935 2,037,966 Dailey Apr. 21, 1936 2,101,302 Williams Dee. 7, 1937 2,412,180 Slocum Dec. 3, 1946 2,505,230 Composto Apr. 25, 1950 2,539,077 Hawkins Jan. 23, 1951 2,612,708 Amsel Oct. 7, 1952 2,795,893 Vayo June 18, 1951 

